Abstract: The current invention provides novel methods for treating victims of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. The methods of the current invention rehabilitate weakened and atrophied muscles by applying electrical stimulation to the muscles. Preferably, the electric current cycles between on and off thereby at 10 second intervals thereby stimulating the muscle for 10 seconds and allowing the muscle to relax for 10 seconds. Treatment periods are preferably 15 minutes per day, five days per week. In general, treatments are performed over a 3 to 12 month period. Patients treated according to the disclosed methodology experience significant improvements in their overall quality of life.

Abstract: Potentially damaging operation of a viscous converter clutch (VCC) is detected in relation to the slippage thereacross. The slippage is compared with a reference slip value indicative of excessive VCC slippage to develop a net overslip indicator. The value of the net overslip indicator changes in the direction of a first limit value so long as the detected slip is at least as great as the reference slip, and in the direction of a second limit value so long as the detected slip is less than the reference slip. When the net overslip indicator reaches the first limit value, the friction clutch is disengaged to release the VCC. According to a first embodiment, the transmission fluid temperature at the time of such deactivation is measured and stored, and the VCC is reactivated when transmission fluid temperature falls below the stored temperature, assuming other criteria for activation are also met.

Abstract: An engine spark timing control system and method for addressing various engine output torque constraints. Preignition and knock concerns are addressed according to the conventional practice of calibrating spark control table, and the most limiting of the drivetrain-related torque constraints is referenced to such table to determine the additional retard, if any, required to satisfy such constraint. With this control, the preignition spark control table or any of the drivetrain-related torque constraints may be changed at will without violating the other constraints or calibrations.